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Sunday: The history of 'defrocking' and the story behind a 400-year-old missal

26/06/2022

The history of 'defrocking' and the story behind a 400-year-old missal

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday, The history of 'defrocking' and the story behind a 400-year-old missal

Defrocking could come back as a punishment for Anglican priests.

Emily Buchanan travels to Wolverhampton to see a 400-year-old prayer book bought by the National Trust, and hears about its owner who saved the life of a king on the run.

Emily Buchanan travels to Moseley Old Hall in Wolverhampton to hear about a 400 year-old missal recently bought by the National Trust that belonged to a Catholic priest who saved the life of King Charles II

'Water cremation’ will be available as a funeral option in Britain later this year. It’s said to be an environmentally friendly approach to disintegrating human remains – but is it appropriate for Christians and other believers in the afterlife?

This week the Church of England Synod will be invited to approve the reintroduction of ‘defrocking’ as the most severe punishment it can impose on members of the priesthood. But what exactly is ‘defrocking’? Historian of the Anglican clergy, Reverend Fergus Butler-Gallie, explains.

And the man who passed on a call from Boris Johnson to answer a call from the Holy Spirit... John Casson took up a role at L'Arche UK during a troubled time for the Christian organisation. He reflects on what working with people with learning disabilities has taught him about leadership.

Producers: Catherine Murray and Peter Everett.

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